Collapsible tub-shaped container

ABSTRACT

A collapsible, tub-shaped container for placing on a support, comprising a base of flexible flat material with a frame construction and side walls of flexible flat material. There are connecting walls of flexible flat material arranged between the two adjacent side walls, which have a frame construction.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] 1. Field of the Invention

[0002] The invention relates to a collapsible, tub-shaped container forplacing on a support, comprising a base of flexible flat material with aframe construction and side walls of flexible flat material. There areconnecting walls of flexible flat material arranged between the twoadjacent side walls, which have a frame construction.

[0003] 2. The Prior Art

[0004] Containers of this kind known in the most diverse embodiments foruse as a convertible foot muff or as a carrier container for smallchildren, dolls, etc. Such containers can obviously also be used forstorage of articles.

[0005] A foot muff that is convertible into a baby carrying pocket isknown from German Patent No. DE 197 25 958 C2. This consists of a basewith a base plate for reinforcing, having side reinforcing elementswhich are disposed thereat and are inserted from below into the sidewalls, made of padded flat material, of a body similar to a foot muffand which stabilise the structure.

[0006] A portable container for small children, comprising a basesection and a wall, which goes out from an edge region of the basesection and surrounds a lying-down region, with a pair of mutuallyopposite flexible longitudinal side wall sections, and a carrying devicewith a pair of carrying handles is known from German Patent No. DE 19748 902 A1. In order to develop this portable container in such a mannerthat it can be produced simply and economically and offers a high degreeof carry comfort and protection for a small child to be transportedtherein, angle stiffening devices for angularly-fixed connection of atleast one longitudinal side section-are indicated. These are frameelements which shape the container and stabilise the side walls.

[0007] In the case of the known containers in which the side walls, thetransverse connecting part and the base part can be collapsed, thestiffening base and all other frame-shaped elements which form thecontainer always have to be removed for that purpose and separatelystored. It is apparent that such a container in the case of non-use, forexample as an emergency bed, needs much storage space. As travel bedsthey would take up a greater amount of space when stowed in a suitcase.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0008] It is therefore an object of the invention to construct acontainer wherein in the case of non-use it is collapsible to thesmallest space as a flat unit, without parts of the frame constructionhaving to be removed for that purpose.

[0009] The container according to the first embodiment is distinguishedfrom that of the second embodiment in that the first embodiment, whenbrought into the smallest unit after laying of the side walls over ontothe base is deformed by diagonal twisting into a horizontal eight,whereby two elliptical stackable flat elements are formed, which canthen in turn be folded through 180° onto one another and thus form arelatively flat unit, which is insertable into a bag in order to bestored in, for example, a cupboard or suitcase.

[0010] The solution according to the second embodiment proposes that,with use of a frame construction, segments can be folded together in astack-shaped manner about fold edges extending transversely to thelongitudinal axis of the container so that a small stowable unit is alsothereby achievable. Through use of the spring elements in the framemembers, it is always ensured that in the erected state the flexibleflat materials are tightened and the desired tub- shaped appearancethereby produced, so that such a container can be used for, for example,babies for sleeping. In all designs, the removal of the spring elementssupporting the frame construction or, however, also the rigid elements,insofar as these may not be needed for the function and may be rigidlyconstructed, is not necessary. They are a component of the base, theside walls and the transverse connecting elements at the head and footpart of the container, not only in the use function, but also in thecollapsed state. Nevertheless, such a container can be collapsed in sucha manner that it forms a stackable unit and can be stored and/ortransported as a flat object without a large space requirement.

[0011] It has proved particularly advantageous to make the entire frameconstruction of spring steel, for example of resilient stainless steelof about 2 mm diameter, wherein the individual frame constructions aredesigned to be annular, regardless of whether these are now oval orround or have a substantially polygonal plan profile. It is alwaysensured by this construction that a certain degree of tension in theerected state is exerted on the wall material, namely the flexible flatmaterial, which can be a textile unpadded or padded material. The basewall, the side walls and connecting walls are also automatically shapedby the spring force, for which purpose the fields of the round elementsare covered by the material or introduced into pocket-shapedreceptacles.

[0012] It will be obvious that such a container cannot be used as acarry pocket or carry container for small children and dolls without thestiffening elements or angle stiffening elements described above. Itcan, however, be connected in the simplest manner with such elements orinserted therein and can then be additionally used in the same way as acarry pocket for dolls or small children.

[0013] The frame construction envisages different courses of the springsteel in the side walls and/or in the base. In the simplest design,these are oval parts formed from spring steel and extending in thehemmed edges in the side walls and in the base, as well as an oval,annular closure frame of spring steel which fixes the upper edge and isfixedly or pivotably fastened to the upper sides of the side wall framemembers and which produces an oval or elliptical shape of the upperopening. The side parts are in every case pivotably fastened to the baseframe, but preferably not so as to be easily able to be folded over.This can be managed, for example, by plugged-on connecting bushes whichare, for fixing, easily pressed onto one of the round, parallellyextending spring rods or onto both.

[0014] If material is to be saved, it is sufficient if the curvedelements, which are provided at the upper side at the head and footpart, of the connecting walls are fastened as such only in shaped mannerto the upper longitudinal spring rods of the side wall frame members.

[0015] It has proved that these connecting walls together with theircurved elements permit folding together of the side walls onto the base,in fact assisted by the spring action of the curved elements and keepthe side parts in the unfolded state at a spacing and form the insertionopening. In the collapsed state it is possible to twist the ovalstructure diagonally so that an elongated eight forms from twoelliptical flat bodies. These can then be folded together again over thecrossing points or plane. The spring material, which is used as frameportion, permits this. There thus arises a folded-together unit ofsmallest size which can be placed in simple manner in a bag or a box andcan be stored or transported as a flat element.

[0016] Instead of the oval frame, however, two or more segments togetherwith frame elements can also be joined to form a base or side members.If only two elements are used for that purpose and these are arranged ata spacing from one another then these can be connected together bylongitudinal spring rods which extend at the top and at the undersideand which enable the same procedure of folding together as previouslydescribed. A connection by way of a cross is also possible without theside walls significantly losing stability, since the spring action ofthe resilient portions or of the entire resilient frame exerts tensionon the flat material. In the crossed application, thus when the frameelements already form a horizontal eight, the structure can then besimilarly collapsed in simple manner and, in particular, about a foldedge extending transversely to the longitudinal axis.

[0017] If the segments are designed so that they can be folded togetheronly in folding procedure and, in particular, transversely to thelongitudinal axis of the container, then a folding together of thecontainer is also possible by way of this.

[0018] A container according to the invention is particularly suitableas a travel bed or as an emergency bed for infants. In order to be ableto fasten the container to a bed or to a changing table or to a table,fasteners may be attached to the base. These fasteners may be in theform of laterally protruding eyes, through which a carrier strap can bedrawn in order to be able to fasten the base to a mattress of a bed. Thecarrier strap is then taken around the mattress and tied at its ends or,if a tightening device is provided at the ends, tightened by way of thetightening device. The same can also be used when setting up on a tableor on another article. Moreover, it is also possible to mount flat slidefastener elements at the underside of the flat material of the base,which can, for example, hook in a self-adhering manner to the fittedcover of a mattress of a bed and be detached again. Numerous variationswould be apparent to the expert in order to be able to give effect tothe fastening by fastening means.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0019] Other objects and features of the present invention will becomeapparent from the following detailed description considered inconnection with the accompanying drawings. It is to be understood,however, that the drawings are designed as an illustration only and notas a definition of the limits of the invention.

[0020] Basic design possibilities of the frame construction andcontainer construction are schematically indicated in the drawings, inwhich:

[0021]FIG. 1 shows a top plan view of a first embodiment of theinvention;

[0022]FIG. 2 shows the invention in a folded-together form;

[0023]FIG. 3 shows the invention in a deformed state forming twoellipses;

[0024]FIG. 4 shows the invention of FIG. 3 with the two ellipses foldedtogether;

[0025]FIG. 5 shows a side view of the invention in a folded position;

[0026]FIG. 6 shows an alternative embodiment of the invention;

[0027]FIG. 7 shows another alternative embodiment of the invention;

[0028]FIG. 8 shows yet another alternative embodiment of the invention;

[0029]FIG. 9 shows yet another alternative embodiment of the invention;

[0030]FIG. 10 shows a perspective view of the embodiment of FIGS. 1 and2; and

[0031]FIG. 11 shows a top view of the embodiment of FIGS. 1 and 2.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

[0032] Referring now in detail to the drawings, FIG. 1 shows a containeraccording to the invention in a schematic plan view. This consists of anoval, elongate base 1, erected side walls 2 a and 2 b which are of thesame profile and which are illustrated in distorted form by the planview, and connecting walls 3 a and 3 b which form the head part and footpart of the container and connect the ends of the side walls 2 a and 2 bby joining therebetween. The container according to FIG. 1 is stabilizedby a frame construction, over which is inserted, or which is insertedinto, a tub-shaped, sewn textile body which is sewn in such a mannerthat the wall elements, which are predetermined, are shaped by the frameconstruction. In other words, a tub-shaped structure is sewn from atextile material which advantageously is formed to be hollow overall andhas at the underside of base 1 a lengthwise slide fastener or ahook-and-burr fastener in order to introduce the spring wire frameconstruction via this opening. In addition, the frame construction needonly consist of the resilient material in portions. It can also becomposed of rigid elements and/or of resilient rod-shaped elements. Theresilient elements in that case are to be fitted in such a manner thatthe collapsing procedure is thereby ensured and beyond that in theerected state, a desired spreading of the base and a spreading of theside walls are also given, as well as a fixing of the connecting walls.

[0033] Fold axes 8 and 9 are provided between side walls 2 a and 2 b andthe base. These mean that the two side walls can be folded insuccession, in correspondence with the illustrated arrow directions,onto the base.

[0034] The folded-together form is schematically illustrated in FIG. 2.Also apparent from FIG. 2 are the portions A which are stackable springmembers 5 a and 5 b which enable a further collapsing and folding. It isadditionally evident from FIG. 2 that base 1 and side walls 2 a and 2 bhave the same contours or the side walls are slightly smaller in orderto be able to be folded into the base. The connections between the framein the side walls and the frame in the base have to be constructed insuch a manner that pivot movement possible and account is also taken ofthe stacking arrangement. The curved elements 6 a and 6 b, which connectthe upper sides of side walls 2 a and 2 b together and are similarlyincorporated in the textile structure, wherein the connecting walls 3 aand 3 b are formed automatically, consist of resilient material,particularly spring steel. Elements 6 a and 6 b are so designed thatwhen one side wall 2 a is folded onto base 1 and when second side wall 2b is subsequently folded over onto first side wall 2 a, an automaticcollapsing of side walls 3 a and 3 b takes place. The curved elements 6a, 6 b automatically re-erect when unfolded and assist the foldingprocess in the desired manner.

[0035] In order to achieve this, the curved elements 6 a and 6 b areconstructed with a larger radius than the curved transverse connectingportions 7 a and 7 b of the base. In the erected state of the container,these elements produce an elliptical shape of the upper opening 18 witha longitudinal width which is shorter than the base length dimension,which is apparent from the photographically perspective illustration inFIG. 10 and the plan view, which is precise in terms of shape, in FIG.11. FIG. 10 additionally shows laterally protruding eyes 19 which are,for example, sewn on and fix the container to a support.

[0036] With frames of different dimensions, the folding is not asadvantageous. If the two side walls 2 a and 2 b are folded onto base 1as apparent from FIG. 2, then this oval elongate structure according toFIG. 3 can be deformed by diagonal twisting into an elongate eight sothat two elliptical areas or drop-shaped parts interconnected by way ofthe portions 5 a and 5 b according to FIG. 2 arise, which can be foldedtogether as apparent from FIG. 4, namely by way of the connection cross.When using spring steel, this is possible in the simplest manner withoutfunctional disadvantages. It has proved particularly advantageous to usestainless steel as spring steel with a diameter of approximately 2 mm toapproximately 3.5 mm.

[0037] The stack is schematically illustrated in side view in FIG. 5.Such a collapsed stack consisting of the segments formed by the foldingtogether can now in simplest manner be placed in a bag and storedtherein.

[0038]FIG. 6 shows a variant with respect to the formation of the frameconstruction in the base and/or the side walls. Here, there are twoannular frames, which can consist of rigid material or also of resilientmaterial and form the segments 12 a and 12 b. These are connectedtogether for formation of the oval by way of spring rod members 5 a and5 b. These frames are coupled with those of the base and the side wallsjust as described by reference to the embodiments according to FIGS. 1to 5. Base and side walls can thus be constructed in this manner, but itis also possible to construct the base according to FIG. 1 as an ovaland the side walls in the indicated manner according to FIG. 6, wherebya reinforcement of the side walls is given by the annular form of thesegments 12 a and 12 b and by the frame elements 4. The collapsing ofthis structure is possible in the same manner as described by referenceto FIGS. 1 to 5.

[0039] In FIG. 7 there is illustrated a variant in which the two ovalsegments 12 a and 12 b are connected together by way of the internallydisposed frame elements 16. It is also apparent therefrom that thisarrangement also makes it possible to fold the container together oncemore about the indicated fold axis 15 in the collapsed state of the baseand the side walls.

[0040]FIG. 8 shows a three-segment arrangement. This, too, is foldableonce more by way of the indicated fold axes 15 in desired manner aftercollapsing of the side parts and the base. In this embodiment, thesegments are round. It is obvious that in the case of the embodimentsaccording to FIGS. 7 and 8, the connecting walls 3 a and 3 b, which arenot illustrated, have to be detachably coupled at the top to the sidewalls in order to be able to be incorporated in the folding. With theseembodiments it is also not necessary for the frame elements of theconnecting elements to be resilient. They can also be constructed to berigid. This also equally applies to the frame elements 16 as used in thesegments 12 a, b; 13 a, b, c.

[0041]FIG. 9 shows a variant with respect to FIGS. 7 and 8, consistingof substantially polygonal segments 14 a, 14 b, 14 c, which can befolded onto one another by way of transversely extending fold axes 15.The side walls, which are similarly formed to be identical, are notillustrated here. The connecting walls 3 a and 3 b are fastened at theirupper corners by way of press studs 17. After release of the press studsthe connecting walls 3 a and 3 b can be laid onto the folded-up sidewalls and then, after the collapsing, the parts 14 are folded on 14 band 14 a on the part 14 c about the fold edges 15 so that a unit ofsmallest size similarly results.

[0042] Accordingly, while only a few embodiments of the presentinvention have been shown and described, it is obvious that many changesand modifications may be made thereunto without departing from thespirit and scope of the invention.

[0043] Reference Numeral List

[0044]1 base

[0045]2 a side wall

[0046]2 b side wall

[0047]3 a connecting wall

[0048]3 b connecting wall

[0049]4 frame element

[0050]5 a spring rod member

[0051]5 b spring rod member

[0052]6 a curved element

[0053]6 b curved element

[0054]7 a transverse connecting portion

[0055]7 b transverse connecting portion

[0056]8 fold axis

[0057]9 fold axis

[0058]10 stack half

[0059]11 stack half

[0060]12 a segment

[0061]12 b segment

[0062]13 a segment

[0063]13 b segment

[0064]13 c segment

[0065]14 a segment

[0066]14 b segment

[0067]14 c segment

[0068]15 fold edge

[0069]16 frame element

[0070]17 press stud

[0071]18 elliptical opening

[0072]19 eyes

What is claimed is:
 1. A collapsible, tub-shaped container for erectionon a support, comprising: a base (1) of flexible flat material with aframe construction, side walls (2 a, 2 b) of flexible flat material andhaving a frame construction, wherein outer contours of the side walls (2a, 2 b) are constructed to be substantially congruent with or smaller orlarger than outer contours of the base (1) and to be foldable into oronto the base (1); connecting walls (3 a, 3 b) between the side walls (2a, 2 b); frame elements (4) disposed in the side walls (2 a, 2 b) andthe base, said frame elements, at least in a center longitudinal portion(A), comprising flexible spring rod members (5 a, 5 b) which arearranged to extend or intersect in outer edges to form in common withother portions of the frame elements (4) a figure-eight-shaped course, acurved element connecting the side walls (2 a, 2 b) together at an upperside at each of the front and the back; wherein a first side wall (2 a)of the two side walls (2 a, 2 b) can be folded over or pivoted onto thebase (1) at an outer side thereof about a pivot axis or fold axis (8)extending longitudinally in an edge region, wherein with simultaneousdrawing in and turning in of the curved elements (6 a, 6 b) of therespective connecting walls (3 a, 3 b), the second side wall (2 b) canbe folded onto the first, folded-over side wall at the outer side of thebase (1) about a fold axis (9) extending longitudinally in an edgeregion and wherein by diagonal twisting and subsequent folding togetherof a thus-formed one stack half (10) onto another stack half, said stackhalves are collapsible in a substantially congruent manner.
 2. Acollapsible, tub-shaped container for placing on a support, comprising:a base (1) of flexible flat material with a frame construction; sidewalls (2 a, 2 b) of flexible material and having a frame construction,said base and said side walls having substantially congruent outercontours; connecting walls (3 a, 3 b) between the two side walls (2 a, 2b) of flexible flat material; wherein the two side walls (2 a, 2 b) canbe folded in succession onto the base (1), and the connecting walls (3a, 3 b) are similarly constructed to be foldable inwardly and aredetachably fastened to the side walls (2 a, 2 b) at an upper side,wherein the base and side walls (2 a, 2 b) consist of at least twosegments (12 a, b; 13 a, b, c; 14 a, b, c) of substantially the samesize arranged one after the other and connected together by way of foldedges (15) extending transversely to a longitudinal direction of thecontainer and at substantially the same height and wherein the segments(12 a, b; 13 a, b, c; 14 a, b, c) can be folded together in stack-likemanner about the transversely extending fold edges (15), wherein atleast each segment (12 a, b; 13 a, b, c; 14 a, b, c) of a side part (2a, 2 b) and each segment (12 a, b; 13 a, b, c; 14 a, b, c) of the base(1) have rigid or resilient frame elements (16) which are arranged toencircle and which substantially tighten the flexible flat material. 3.A container according to claim 1, wherein the frame elements consist ofround, polygonal or profiled spring wire or resilient syntheticmaterial.
 4. A container according to claim 3, wherein the spring wireis spring steel and has a diameter of approximately 1 mm toapproximately 3.5 mm.
 5. A container according to claim 1, wherein thecontour of the base (1) and the contour of the side walls (2 a, 2 b) areoval.
 6. A container according to claim 5, wherein the base (1) has alength of approximately 100 cm and curved transverse connecting portions(7 a, 7 b) and is approximately 35 cm wide, wherein the side walls havethe same or slightly differing dimensions and wherein the curvedelements (6 a, 6 b) are dimensioned in such a manner that an overalllength of an upper elliptical opening (18) when the side walls (2 a, 2b) are erected is approximately 90 cm long and approximately 55 cm wide,wherein the shape is determined by an arc of the curved elements (6 a, 6b) and of upper side wall frame portions.
 7. A container according toclaim 1, wherein the fold axes are formed by a hinge-shaped, stiffconnection between the frame elements (4) of the base (1) and the sidewalls (2 a, 2 b).
 8. A container according to claim 1, wherein the sidewalls (2 a, 2 b) or the base (1) consist of two lined-up segments withencircling frame elements (16) which bear against one another or arearranged to be spaced apart by means of the spring rod members (5 a, 5b).
 9. A container according to claim 1, wherein the curved elements (6a, 6 b) are a component of an upper frame ring with which the frameelements (4) of the side walls (2 a, 2 b) are fixedly connected orconnected to be movable relative to one another in a hinge-like manner.10. A container according to claim 1, wherein the flexible material is atextile material and the individual frame elements (4, 16) are coveredtherewith or are inserted into pocket-shaped double-walled receivingbodies.
 11. A container according to claim 1, wherein the side walls (2a, 2 b), the base (1) and the connecting walls (3 a, 3 b) consist of apocket-shaped, double-walled body which is formed from flexible flatmaterial and wherein wall heights and dimensions of which are so matchedto the frame elements (4) employed that the frame elements tighten theflat material of the side walls, the base and the connecting walls, andwherein a closable insertion opening, through which the frameconstruction is insertable in its entirety, is provided at theunderside.
 12. A container according to claim 11, wherein the openingextends over a length of the base and is closed by means of a slidefastener or flat slide fastener elements.
 13. A container according toclaim 1, wherein the curved elements (6 a, 6 b) are fastened to theupper frame elements of the side walls.
 14. A container according toclaim 8, wherein either the curved part or the side parts havecontinuous frame elements at the fold edges and the other frame partsare foldably or pivotably fastened thereat.
 15. A container according toclaim 2, wherein at least two segments are joined to one another andwherein the segments (13 a, b, c; 14 a, b, c) have frame members whichconsist of resilient material and which are connected together at thefold edges to be pivotably movable, wherein a shape of the individualframe members is round or polygonal with rounded corners and whereinfasteners for fastening with counter-elements at the outer upper cornersof the connecting walls (3 a, 3 b) are provided at the upper side of theside walls (2 a, 2 b), which connecting walls (3 a, 3 b) have anindependent frame element.
 16. A container according to claim 1, furthercomprising fasteners on the base for fixing the container to a supportsurface.
 17. A container according to claim 16, wherein the fastenersare flat elements mounted at the base to extend transversely, or arestitched-on or fastened eyes (19), through which a securing belt can bepassed or to which a securing belt can be fastened, which can be placedor tightened around the support or fastened to the support.
 18. Acontainer according to claim 1, wherein the container is a lying-downcontainer for small children and dolls.
 19. A container according toclaim 16, wherein the fastening devices are connectable withcomplementary fastening devices at a baby-changing table, a mattress, abed frame or a table top.
 20. A container according to claim 1, whereinthe container is a travel cot for small children.
 21. A containeraccording to claim 10, wherein the flat material is an unpadded or apadded textile material.
 22. A container according to claim 1, whereinin the collapsed state, the container can be inserted or placed in a bagor a receptacle.